WSDOT: Clearing the road to Artist Point has begun

GLACIER, Wash. — According to information from the Washington State Department of Transportation, crews began removing snow from the final 2.7 miles of Mount Baker Highway (SR542), on May 27, 2026. The section of highway from milepost 54.55 to 57.26 leads to the Artist Point parking lot, which sits at an elevation of more than 5,000 feet above sea level.

Crews are clearing snow accumulation of up to 20 feet deep from the highway and parking lot. This section of the highway closes annually for safety during the winter due to narrow lanes, sharp curves, and steep slopes. In 2025, the road opened on June 27, 2025, and closed for the season on October 15, 2025.

Data shows that more than 650 vehicles per day utilize the road to Artist Point after it opens for the summer season. A Northwest Forest Pass is required for vehicle parking at the Artist Point lot.

Each winter, WSDOT closes the narrow section of road to vehicle traffic to keep travelers safe, while at the same time a portion of the road becomes part of the Mt. Baker Ski Area’s terrain.